DRIVER IN TACONIC STATE PARKWAY CRASH THAT KILLED FOUR IS ARRAIGNED

Sept. 9, 2016 -- Acting Westchester County District Attorney James A. McCarty announced that Nerim Sinanovic (DOB 02/13/82) of 2517 Fish Ave., Bronx, NY was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with:

four counts of Criminally Negligent Homicide, class “E” Felonies,

one count of Reckless Driving, a Violation of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, a Misdemeanor,

one count of Violation of Section 1180 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, driving a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions.

On Aug. 15, 2015 at approximately 2:50 p.m., the defendant was driving his BMW SUV northbound on the Taconic State Parkway in Yorktown. His wife was in the front passenger seat and their two young daughters were in the rear seats.

The defendant told New York State Police that while driving northbound on the Taconic State Parkway he took his hands off the steering wheel, turned towards the back seat and steered with his knees. This caused the vehicle to veer to the right. The defendant’s wife then grabbed the wheel and the vehicle veered left and continued up and over the dividing center median between the north and southbound lanes.

The vehicle became airborne and crashed into a Toyota Camry which was traveling in the southbound lane. There were three family members in that vehicle at the time of the crash. Two sustained massive internal injuries and were pronounced dead within hours. The third person died on September 15, 2015 at Westchester Medical Center.

The defendant’s children, a two year old and a one year old, who were both in child seats were ejected from the vehicle. The two year old was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two additional vehicles, a Ford Escape and an Acura RSX were also struck. Those occupants sustained non-life threatening injuries.

A toxicology report indicated the defendant had a high level of Xanax in his system at the time of the crash.

The defendant pled not guilty.

His bail was set at $10,000.

His next court date is Sept. 27, 2016.

The defendant faces a maximum of two to four years in state prison.

Assistant District Attorney Christine O’Connor and Assistant District Attorney James Bavero of the Superior Court Trials Division are prosecuting the case.

Nerim Sinanovic

In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.